VIEW: United vs City. 2-1

Good.

78 minutes...

I don't know what's left to say? The timing, the occasion...the finish. One of the most sublime, technically perfect goals I have ever witnessed, and surely the greatest winner of any derby. So all that's left to do is reflect, even though you have all seen it a thousand times. And if you haven't, where have you been?

Rooney goal: United 2 - 1 City

And the reaction.

I don't think I've ever included a goal celebration in this section, but there is no doubting that the reaction from the bench after Rooney scored the goal of the season - not to mention the winner in the derby - was pure magic. Mesmerising on field action gives you a feeling of joy and excitement, especially when it involves a winner like that in a game like that. But when you see the squad celebrating as if every single player on the bench had all scored a winner against Citeh - bearing in mind that the majority were not even involved in the game - it enhanced the special feeling of the occasion ten fold.




Class, skill and unity on the field wins matches and in-turn, wins titles. But class and skill is nothing without unity. Without the coherence that the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Villa and Messi have playing together for Barca (three of whom play for the same International side as well), do you think their individual quality alone is enough to see them reach the heights their side have in recent years? No way. Ok, so I'm going off on one slightly, but the point I am making is that seeing players - ranging from old-school, hardcore Manc's like Brown and 22 year old Mexicans who have only been at the club for six months - celebrate and rejoice over victory in that fashion shows the watching world that we most definitely possess that most essential factor of any Championship winning side: team spirit. I have no doubt that opposition fans saw that and felt one of two things - fear or jealousy. And for that I am proud.

Nani's opener.

The accurate and well placed kick from Van der Sar (reminiscent of the one that found Rooney for his first against Villa), the stunning first-time pass from Giggs and the touch, dribble and finish from Nani - who was one-on-one with Hart as well as facing pressure from the incapable Zabaleta. Every aspect was perfection. A great move and all round team goal that really didn't deserve to be overshadowed by our second.




Smalling.

A near-flawless, coming of age performance from the 21 year old, who as commentators never get tired of reminding us, was playing for Isthmian League side Maidstone United a little over two years ago. Stepping in for Rio, he was up against the likes of Silva and 18 goal Tevez, yet held his own and made crucial, composed challenge after challenge. At the time, the fairly unknown and completely unproven centre-back drew his critics after the £10million fee that secured his acquisition, but he is enjoying and relishing his time at United, where every time he has been asked to perform the daunting task of partnering Vidic he has brushed the dirt off his shoulder and performed as maturely as the world-class defender he has replaced.

Mike Summerbee.

Anyone who stay tuned and watched Sky Sports' post match reaction were in for a treat. Not only did they show Rooney's goal over and over again, but the one Citeh fan in the studio had an absolute shitter! Mike Summerbee's deluded, senile, one-man campaign revolving around United being scared of Citeh after this performance, Citeh dominating the game with over 60% of possession (even though it was actually 48%) and United 'buying' the title (...seriously, no comment) was hilarious and thoroughly embarrassing to watch. I don't think he'll be invited back after this 'Gray replacement' trial, do you?

Bad.

Erm...Arsenal won?

In terms of the game itself, there is genuinely no point in analysing United's tactics or the fact Scholes was a complete liability and played his worst game of the season. Three points against Citeh is special, but add to that the goal that won it and the fact that they are, whether you like it or not, one of our title challengers, leads me to rather gladly leave this section blank.

Player Ratings.

Van der Sar 7; O'Shea 7, Smalling 9, Vidic 7, Evra 7; Nani 8, Fletcher 6, Scholes 5, Anderson 6, Giggs 7; Rooney 7.